VOA标准英语2009年-Bush Honors Blair, Howard, Uribe

At his last ceremonial appearance as U.S. President, George Bush honored three men who have been among his staunchest allies abroad during his eight years in office.
　

Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe at the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in Washington, 13 Jan 2009

The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian¹ honor awarded by the President of the United States. And in one of his last acts in office, George Bush presided as medals were draped around the necks of three men who stood with him on the world stage.

They are former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, perhaps Mr. Bush's strongest allies in Iraq. Also honored was his closest friend and ally in Latin America, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

"Each of these gentlemen we honor today has his own style and personality. Each has amassed² distinctions and achievements that belong to him alone. Yet all of them have shown a firm adherence³ to the principles of freedom and democratic values," said Mr. Bush.

The three recipients⁴ did not make remarks at the awards ceremony. It fell to Mr. Bush to describe their deeds and approach to governing.

"They are the sort of guys who look you in the eye and tell you the truth and keep their word. In lengthy⁵ service, they proved to be leaders of character and fortitude," he said. "They were warm friends of the United States of America."

Mr. Bush said the opportunity to work with these three leaders has been one of the great satisfactions of his time as president. He said they have his respect, and his admiration⁶.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 amassed   

v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He amassed a fortune from silver mining. 他靠开采银矿积累了一笔财富。
• They have amassed a fortune in just a few years. 他们在几年的时间里就聚集了一笔财富。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 adherence   

n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着

参考例句：

• He was well known for his adherence to the rules.他因遵循这些规定而出名。
• The teacher demanded adherence to the rules.老师要求学生们遵守纪律。

4 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 lengthy   

adj.漫长的，冗长的

参考例句：

• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
• The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。

6 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。